Graphene production method

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a method for producing graphene, the method comprising the steps of providing a polymeric graphene precursor comprising one or more donor atoms, subjecting the polymeric graphene precursor to a bulk thermal heat treatment to produce graphene and subjecting the graphene obtained from the bulk thermal heat treatment to one or more mechanical exfoliation treatments, wherein the one or more exfoliation treatments comprises ball milling.

1 . A method for producing graphene, the method comprising:
 providing a polymeric graphene precursor comprising one or more donor atoms;   subjecting the polymeric graphene precursor to a bulk thermal heat treatment to obtain graphene; and   subjecting the graphene obtained from the bulk thermal heat treatment to one or more mechanical exfoliation treatments, wherein the one or more exfoliation treatments comprise ball milling.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the graphene comprises doped graphene with one or more of non-carbon elements including one or more of nitrogen, sulphur, oxygen, or chlorine. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric graphene precursor comprises a nitrogen-containing polymer, a sulphur-containing polymer, an oxygen-containing polymer, a hydroxyl-containing polymer, a chlorine containing polymer, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric graphene precursor comprises polyimide, polybenzimidazole, or is selected from the group comprising polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyamide, poly(etherimide), polyether ether ketone, polyphenylene sulfide, chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride), polystyrene, epoxy, phenolic resin, and lignin. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bulk thermal heat treatment is carried out at a temperature between 600° C. and 1600° C. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bulk thermal heat treatment is carried out at a temperature between 800° C. and 1200° C. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein during the bulk thermal heat treatment the temperature is increased at a rate of 10° C. per minute. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bulk thermal heat treatment is performed in the presence of an inert gas. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the graphene is ball milled for at least 1 hour. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more mechanical exfoliation treatments comprise ball milling and sonication. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to any of  claim 14 , wherein the graphene is sonicated at a frequency of 80 kHz-100 kHz. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the graphene is sonicated for at least 24 hours. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the graphene is sonicated in an organic solvent. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . Graphene produced according to the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . The graphene according to  claim 19 , wherein the graphene is doped graphene and is hydrophilic. 
     
     
         21 . The graphene according to  claim 20 , wherein the doped graphene exhibits a water contact angle between 50° and 70°. 
     
     
         22 . The graphene according to  claim 20 , wherein the doped graphene is porous and comprises 0.01-2 μm pores. 
     
     
         23 . The graphene according to  claim 20 , wherein the doped graphene is characterised by a D/G ratio of 0.9-2. 
     
     
         24 . The graphene according  claim 19 , wherein the graphene comprises 10-30 μm graphene flakes. 
     
     
         25 . A method, comprising:
 using the graphene produced by the method according to  claim 1  in a filter, in rubber, in a carbon fibre composite, or in metal or metal alloys.